Sanctuary For Families

Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson allocated $223,000 on Oct. 14 for organizations that help victims of domestic violence, including Sanctuary for Families. SFF Deputy Clinical Director Jelaine Altino is quoted.

The coronavirus pandemic forced countless victims of domestic violence into the same dilemma – trapped in an abusive situation without the usual avenues of relief. SFF Luba Reife is quoted.

The combination of the COVID-19 crisis, the economic downturn, and stay-at-home orders has meant that “we are in the midst of a triple tsunami” says SFF Legal Director Dorchen Leidholdt.

In light of the COVID-19-related spike in domestic violence, it is important for employers to be particularly attuned to risk factors of domestic violence and make sure that employees feel supported and know what resources are available to them. SFF Genie Colbert is quoted.

A New York federal judge on Monday kept largely intact a suit over ICE's practice of making arrests in and around courthouses in the Empire State. The suit was filed by an unnamed immigrant and a coalition of immigration groups, including Sanctuary for Families, in September 2019.

As jailed NYC nurse Tracy McCarter awaits trial, some say law has ignored years of physical abuse by her husband. SFF Dorchen Leidholdt, who helped assemble a pro bono defense team for Ms. McCarter in April, is quoted.

Failures of the courts to deal swiftly and appropriately with domestic violence pre-dates the pandemic, but the coronavirus has revealed how systemic shortfalls can further endanger survivors and their families. SFF Judy Kluger is quoted.

Dorchen Leidholt is quoted in a piece on the surge in domestic violence reports in New York. The article notes that Sanctuary for Families received 206 calls to its domestic violence helpline in May and 259 in June, compared to 102 calls in May of last year and 73 in June of last year.

Dorchen Leidholt is quoted in an article about the increase of domestic in New York, noting that stimulus checks are stolen by abusive spouses. The article notes that at Sanctuary for Families has launched an investigation among its clients in response to these reports.